This is Part Two of an interview with Jacob Cooper, epic fantasy author. Jacob is the author of Circle of Reign and its prequel, Altar of Influence. (Gorgeous cover, isn’t it?) Check out his Interview, Part One, here. Read on about his writing process and why he released the prequel before the series was complete.
Your reviews characterize you as a wizard with words. How did you learn to hone your craft as a writer?
Those kinds of reviews are pretty humbling and encouraging. I guess I’ve always been a sucker for good metaphors. I love poetry and always did well with literature in school. Imagery and creative vocabulary use always grabbed me. When reading books, I always love to learn new words and ways of using them. I have to be honest, though, I didn’t read much growing up. I mean, a little, but I wasn’t one of these people that always had a book in my hand nor did I read fantasy when I did read. My brothers, on the other hand, were always reading sci-fi and fantasy as kids and still do. I didn’t read my first fantasy book until I was almost 30 years old with two kids. But, when it got inside me, it really took hold.
How do you balance writing and family time?
I can probably be better at this. There are times when I’m writing that I should be spending time with the family, and, conversely, times when I’m not writing that I feel like I really should be. Segmenting the day is very important. From this time to this time, I focus on X; the next slot of hours I do Y only Y. This helps distractions stay out of the mix, or at least limits them. I usually miss a lot of sleep to get my writing done!
One thing that helps me from having to run right away into my home office to write when inspiration comes (or if I’m out) is mind mapping. I use a free software app called Maple Mind. It’s on both my Macbook and iPhone, so I can be anywhere, open the app, jot down the idea real quick in the appropriate part of the story map, have it sync with my master doc, and keep doing what I’m doing at the time (assuming it’s not writing). This has been a valuable brainstorming tool (and I suppose outlining if I did more of that).
Tell me something no one knows about Circle of Reign.
I have a nephew named Holden Ryall. In the book, there are two characters named Holden and Ryall that are the comic relief, but also discover some very meaningful things that add to the history of the world. They are named after my nephew. Holden’s mother, my sister, has threatened me with a painful death if either of those characters turn to the “dark side”.
How about Altar of Influence?
This is a prelude to The Dying Lands Chronicle series. I guess it’s odd to release a prequel before the series is complete. I wrote about it in the foreward of the book a bit, but essentially I was challenged to write a short story about Thannuel Kerr’s younger life and the Orsarian War, a conflict alluded to many times in Circle of Reign. Well, that short story took on a life of its own (remember, discovery writer) and it grew to a full-length novel. I’ve had some test readers like it better than Circle of Reign, which is fine by me.
Something no one knows about this book…well, Circle of Reign took me four years to write. Altar of Influence took about six months. It really helps when your world is pretty much built. Also, my editor and I had a back and forth about making Altar of Influence book one of the series instead of a prelude. He argued for it. I wasn’t as convinced. It was finished before I actually released Circle of Reign so maybe I could have done it, but to me, Reign, the daughter of Lord Thannuel Kerr, is the character of the series. She is not even born during the setting of Altar of Influence. So, it remained a prequel.
Are you a member of a critique group? Who reads your first drafts?
I’m not! Probably should be. Mike Sirota, an award winning author who has been writing fantasy since the 1970’s, has been my editor and mentor. Very talented writer who is still writing new stories and worlds.
How come you don’t have an author pic anywhere (that I can find online)?
As a kid, I fell into a cauldron of acid. The only surgeon my parents could afford was one that worked for the mob, and they ended up owing favors for the rest of their lives…oh wait, that story is already taken. What a joker.
Well, it certainly adds to your author mystique. What was your revision process like? Any tips for authors who want to make their books the best they can be?
It’s an extra expense, but I think you should get two story editors involved. They will both have good ideas and help you structure the book. Family and friends are great, but it’s hard to get real constructive criticism from them…and that’s what you really need in the revision process. Also, do not edit your own book. It’s too difficult to catch errors and you’ll be too kind on yourself. If you do have a group giving you feedback, trust the majority consensus. Above all, you must love your book. While the reviews of Circle of Reign are very positive overall, there are those critical ones out there. Yes, I second guess myself now on a few things, wishing I had done this or that differently. But, in the end, I know I did everything I could and I’m proud of the book as my first effort. The community at large has been very receptive of it, for which I am grateful.
And I’m grateful you stopped here at my blog. Thanks for joining me, Jacob!
Read Part One of his interview here. Check out his website and Facebook author page, as well as his books on Amazon, and Goodreads.
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